Commitment Q&A: Dante Sparaco
At 6-foot-4, 253-pounds, Dante Sparaco already looks like a Pac-12 football player. He took time out to talk with BuffStampede.com about his recruiting process and his decision to commit to Colorado, among other topics. Q-and-A:
Did you and Jonathan Van Diest draw straws to see which one of you got to announce your commitment to Colorado first?
Dante Sparaco: "We both kind of kept it secret, but I actually committed a couple weeks ago privately with the plan in mind that Jon and I could announce together publicly, and try to bring some more guys on board with us. I was a little ahead of Jon, he committed a little after me, but today he announced it first. We didn't have a plan in terms of a time frame, we just wanted to do it on the same day and hopefully make a big splash."
What has it felt like since you announced your commitment? I would imagine your phone has been blowing up?
"I actually turned off the notifications today, it was kind of a family driven day, but it feels like a weight off my chest. Talking to all these coaches, you are up at 10:30 at night on Twitter messaging with them, it can be overwhelming. It just feels great to make it public and be able to show your pride and just get that stress out of your life."
I asked Jonathan when Colorado became his front-runner, and he said it happened over the course of time and not until a couple months ago. When did that happen for you?
"Colorado was always in my top five but I think I overlooked them a little bit at first. As a high schooler you want validation from big schools that are winning games. So at first, it was an ego-driven thing, wanting the Alabama and Notre Dame type of programs to offer. But as I grew closer to the Colorado coaching staff, I realized these guys are so passionate about what they do and the players here love it. Boulder is a beautiful place and they have great fans. Their fan base is so loyal. Today, someone recognized me buying a shirt and I signed his kid's hat. I just announced and he knew that already. It is just a great environment they have up there, and with the new facilities, something big is happening with Colorado. I am just happy I can be in on the first floor."
When Colorado offered you as a "big athlete" last June, were you ready to buy into the idea yet? When did you feel like you were ready to let go of your quarterback dream?
"It was a little rough at the beginning, when they first offered me as a big athlete. As a quarterback you have the ball in your hands every play. I did like that responsibility. But after talking it over with my family, it is a great honor to be offered as a big athlete, knowing they think you are good enough to play multiple positions at the FBS level. I came to realize that as I have matured."
So you could end up factoring in on either side of the ball... do you have a preference?
"Being a former quarterback, I have always had an offensive mindset so it would be great if I got to play tight end. But being able to just play is my main goal, so whatever gets me on the field fastest, and whatever puts me in the best position to be successful is where I am willing to play. I am going to leave that up to the coaches to decide. Wherever my body type leads me to play and wherever I can help the team the most, that is where I will put forth my full effort."
Obviously Mullen and Cherry Creek are rivals on the field but you and Jonathan are trying to get Marcus McElroy Jr., Christian Cumber and Isiahia Banks to join you on the Buffaloes' commitment list... is that awkward at all?
"I think for Jon and I, it is a little bit easier to overlook that rivalry aspect. We're competitors but we have tight relationships with some of the guys over there and know them well. We look beyond the high school aspect of things and realize we'd like for those guys to be on our side for our four or five years of college. Mullen, Grandview, Valor [Christian], wherever they play in high school, if guys can help us win games, we want them to come to Colorado."
What would you tell Colorado fans about what they can expect out of you in the future?
"I am going to come and I want to bring life and I want to bring swag and I want to bring a little bit of character to the team. They are going to get a hard-working, dedicated player that has the mindset we are going to put Colorado back on the national map and win championships."
